Buffer



G. E. DATH prl 22, 1947.

BUFFER Filed Sept. 15, 1944 Patented Apr. 22, 194,7

`UNITED BUFFER George s. DataMokena, 111., assigner to W, H. Miner, Inc., Chicago;l lll., a corporation of Delaware f Application September 15, 1944, Serial No. 554,211

improvements in 9 claims. (c1. 13a-221) buffer mechanism tor railway cars having initial spring faction to absorb the lighter shocks to which the mechanism is subjected, followed by higher frictional resistance to take care of the heavier shocks.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a buier mechanism comprising a housing fixed to the car; a buffer head including a fric-v tion casing slidingly telescoped within the housing; friction shoes having sliding frictional engagement with the interior walls of the casing; a Wedge block in wedging engagement with the shoes; spring means yieldingly opposing inward movement of the wedge block with respect to the housing; anda second spring means yieldingly opposing movement of the shoes and wedge with respect to the casing in lengthwise direction toward each other, wherein the 4buffer head and the housing have cooperating stop lugs in shouldered engagement with each other for limiting relative lengthwise separation of the buier head and housing, and the wedge, shoes, and buiier head are locked against rotation with respect to the housing to maintain the longitudinal alignment of the lugs and thus prevent 'accidental disengage ment of said lugs from each other. f

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafterfollowing.

kminedrawing forming a part of this specie,

cation, Figure ml "is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view of my improvedlbuffer mechanism, illustrating the same mounted in position on the end of Ya, railway car. l Figures 2, 3, and 4 are transverse, vertical sectional views, corresponding respectively to the linesv2 -2, 3 3, and 4-4 of Figure 1. -f 21' Insaid drawing,rI indicates a portinof :the endwall of :a railwaycar, the portion illustrated being at one side of the longitudinal center line of the car and having my vimproved buffer mechanism mounted thereon. As will be understood, the buier mechanism is duplicated at the .other side of the end of the car and the two mechanisms cooperate in a well-known manner with a pair of g similar buffer mechanisms on the end'of anV adjacent car: .Y

My improved butler mechanism comprises broadly a housing A; a, buier head B; three fric.. tion shoes C-C-C; a wedge block D; aspring resistance E; and an additional spring resistance F.

Thehousing A is in the form of a tubular shell closedat the rearend lby a transverse wall II, which is extended laterally outwardlyat opposite sides of the shell to provide securing anges I2-l2 The housing A, as shown, is of cylindrical cross section and is provided with six equally spaced, inturned stop lug-s I3-I 3 at the front end thereof, which is open. The rear wall Il of the housing A is provided with a central opening I4 therethrough and interiorly of the housing a tubular guide sleeve I5 is provided which is aligned with the opening I 4 and-extends inwardly from the wall II, lbeing formed integral therewith. The tubular guide sleeve I5 is of hexagonal, transverse cross section, thereby providing an interior guide opening or bore, which/is of hexagonal shape. The housing A is secured to the wall `I Iljof the car byany suitable means, such as bolts ie-IBVextending through slots in the flanges I2-.l2 and suitable openings in the wall ill of the car. The 'buffer headB comprises a cylindrical casing I'l which is closed at the front end by a trans-v verse wall. I8. which extends laterally outwardly ofthe head on al1 sidesthereof, thereby providing the buffer head proper. The casing I1 is telescoped within the housing A and has lengthwise sliding movement therein. At the rear end, that is, the open end of the casing I'I, Vthe same is'v olset sections or portions I9--I 9 of the casing Il t theinterior'fof the cylindrical wall of the hous ing A and form guide members which prevent tilting or drooping of the buffer head. `The offset sections Ill-I9 are of the same width asthe lugs 230. ,The casing wall is interiorly thickened, as indicated at 22, forwardly of the olset sections I9-I9. The thickened portion 22 of thecasingV i-s of hexagonal, interior :cross section and presentslthr'ee forwardly converging frictionsurfaces 23-23-23 of V-shaped, transverse cross section, the adjacent hexagonal side walls of the casing forming the V-shaped friction surfaces.

' VThe friction shoes C are three in number and have outer, longitudinally extending friction surfaces Zt--Zfl-Ef, each surface being oi V-shaped, transverse cross section and engaging respectively with the corresponding V-shaped friction surface of the casing il. On the inner side, each shoe presents a flat wedge face 25, the wedge faces 25--2 5-25 of the three shoes converging inwardly or forwardly of the mechanism.

The wedge D is in the form of an elongated, hollow, postlike member having a head Zia at the front end thereof provided with wedge faces |25, and a shank 2l extending rearwardly from the head. The inner end portion of the shank or stem 2l of the Wedge D is or" hexagonal, transverse cross section and slidingly fits within the guide sleeve l of the housing A. Forwardly of the hexagonalsection 23, the shank or stem of the wedge is of cylindrical, transverse cross section,

thereby providing a stop shoulder 29, which is f adapted to ,engage the f ront or outer end of the sleeve iii to limit movement of the wedge rearwardly of the mechanism. The parts are so proportioned that niovementof the wedge D is limited before the mechanism has been completely or fully compressed, thereby compelling the wedge to move with respect to the friction casing l1 during the last part of the compression stroke. The enlarged head 26 of the Wedge D provides a rearwardly facing, annular abutment shoulder Sii where it joins the shank 2. The shoulder Sii serves as an abutment for the front end of the spring resistance E. To hold the wedge D assembled with the casing il, lugs Si are provided which project laterally outwardly or radially from the wedge andengage corresponding lugs 32--32-32 at the inner end ofthe casing il'. lThe lugs 3i of the wedge extend between adjacent shoes, thereby locking theiwedge andy shoes'against relative rotation withrespect to each other about the longitudinal central axisofthe casing.

The spring E is in the form of asingle, relatively heavy, helical coil and surrounds the shank or stem 2,1 of the wedge D andthe guide sleeve i5 of the housing A and bears at its front end on theabutment shoulder stof the wedge and at its rear end on the transverse end wall i! of the housing A. r

The springv resistanceF-comprises inner and outer, helical coils, which bear at their front ends on the transverse .wall i8 of the buffer head B. The inner spring bears at its rear end on the Wedge D and the outer spring bears at its rear end on the` shoes CY-Cf-C which are provided with transverse abutment shoulders vfor this purpose. i

In assembling the mechanism, the spring resistance Fand the'shoes C-'C-`C are iirst placed within the casing -'i' of the buer head B vand the shoes forced inwardly to an extent'to clear'the inner sides of the lugs 32-32-32 of the casing l?, thershoes'being forced inwardly to such an extent that the lugs 3i of vthe wedge will pass freely between the outer ends of the shoes and the inner sides of the lugs 32. The wedge is then inserted within the casing i7 and'moved inwardly to an extent to bring Vthe lugs tl--l-Si thereof inwardly of the lugs 32-32-32 of the casing. As will be understood, the lugs of the wedge arepositionedto pass between the lugs of the `casing during this operation. The wedge is then given a partial turn 'to bringthe lugs thereof into align. ment with the lugs of thecasing and the pressure is removed from the shoesv to permit kthe spring F to expand and forcethevshoes outwardly into engagement with the wedge D with-the lugsti .of

the wedge disposed between adjacent shoes. As wili be evident, outward movement of the Wedge is limited b-y engagement of the lugs thereof with the lugs 32 or" the casing. The spring E is then placed over the frank oi the wedge D and the housing is telescoped over the inner end of the casing il'. In applying the housing A to the casing l'i, a tool in the form of a bar is employed, which is entered through the sleeve i5 and engaged with the rear end of the shank of the wedge D to force the wedge inwardly of the casing ii to such an extent that the rear end of the shank will clear the front end of the sleeve i5 of the housing while `the lugs i3. of the housing are being engaged with the shoulders or lugs 2t of the casing of the buffer head While the housing A is being applied to the casing i? efr the 'buffer head, the former is turned to a position that the lugs i3 thereof will pass between the lugs 2i) of the casing. After the lugs i3 have been brought to a position forwardly of the lugs 2%.-, the housing A is given a partial turn with respect to the casing il to bring the lugs of the former in longitudinal alignment with the lugs of thelatter. During this operation, the

hexagonal portion 2S of the shank of the wedge D is brought into registration with the hexagonal opening of the sleeve i5 of the housing A. The holding tool is then removed, permitting the spring resistance F to force the Wedge and shoes rearwardly, projecting the hexagonal shank of the wedge into the sleeve i5, thereby locking the wedge against rotation with respect to the housing A. In this connection it is pointed out that the locking of the shank. ofthe wedge to the sleeve it of the housing also effects positive locking of the buier head Bl against rotation with respect to the housing A so that the lugsZ of the casing are maintainedv inlongitudinal alignment with the lugs i3 ofthe housing. VThis interlocking of the parts is enected by the V-shaped, interengaging arrangement: of theiriction surfaces of the shoes C-C-C andthe casing l1, and the lugs i-i-VflV of the wedge which are engaged between adjacent of the shoes C-C--C. It should be furtherA noted that the fiat engagement of the wedge faces of the wedge D and shoes C-C-C also serves to llock the shoes against rotation with respect tothe wedge.

The operationv ofmy improved buer mechanism is as follows: UponV inward movement of the buffer head' B, through pressure exerted thereon by any object, such as a buier head of an adjacent car, the head1B is forced inwardly of the housing. A, carrying the shoes C-C-C and' the wed-ge D therewith, a-ndcolnpressing .the spring resistance E, which functions as a preliminary spring to 'absorb `the lighter shocks. Upon further compression or the mechanism, the movement' ofthe wedge is arrested by engagement with the sleeve I thereby compelling the casingl'l, to vslide inwardly with respect. to .the friction shoes during the remainder of-the compression stroke. Due to the wedgingy engagement between the shoes C-CV-C and the wedge D, high frictional 'resistanceis vprovided'duringthis last mentioned stage of the operation` to absorb the heavier shocks. AWhen the actuating force or pressure is removed from the buffer headB, the spring resistance E'returns the buffer head and the wedge D to the normal full release position shown in Figure 1 and the spring F'brings the wedge into shouldered iengagementwith the stop lugs of the casing l1 andtheshoestoitheir full release position; lasl shown in ysaid* figure; Asrwill be evident, outward movement of the buiing head I have herein shown and described what I now.

consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative* and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim: Y f v Y 1. In a buffer for railway'cars, the combination with a housing adapted to be secured to a car; of a buffer head including a friction casing.

projecting therefrom and telescoped within the housing, said housing and casing-having interengaging lugs limiting lengthwise separation `of the housing and casing; friction shoes slidingly telescoped within the casing, said shoes and casing having interengaging friction surfaces restricting the shoes to movement inv a direction lengthwise of the casing; a wedge having wedging'engagement with the shoes on flat, interengaging faces; guide means on the housing limitingthe wedge to lengthwise movement with respect to said housing; spring means yieldingly opposing lengthwise movement of the wedge inwardly of the housing; and spring means within the casing yieldingly opposing movement ofthe wedge and shoes toward the buffer headj 2. In a buffer for railway cars, the combination with a housing adapted to be secured to the end of a car; of a buffer head including a friction casing section, said friction casing section being slidingly telescoped within the housing; interengaging shoulders on said casing section and housing for limiting lengthwise separation of the housing and buffer head; friction shoes slidingly telescoped within the casing; a wedge engaging said shoes to spread the same apart; spring means yieldingly opposing relative movement of the wedge and housing toward each other; means limiting relative movement of the housing and wedge to less than the full compression stroke of the mechanism; and spring means yieldingly opposing movement of the wedge and shoes inwardly of the casing section.

3. In a buer for railway cars, the combination with a housing adapted to be secured to a car; of a buffer head including a friction casing projecting therefrom and telescoped within the housing, said housing and casing having interengaging lugs limiting lengthwise separation of the housing and casing; friction shoes slidingly telescoped within the casing, said shoes and casing having interengaging friction surfaces restricting the shoes to movement ina direction lengthwise of the casing; a wedge having wedging engagement with the shoes on flat, interengaging faces; guide means on the housing limiting the wedge to lengthwise movement with respect to said housing; lengthwise movement of the wedge inwardly of the housing; means limiting movement of the wedge inwardly of the housing to less than the full compression stroke of the mechanism; and spring means within the casing yieldingly opposing movement of the wedge and shoes toward the buffer head.

4. In a buffer for railway cars, the combination with a housing adapted to be secured to a car; of a buffer head including a friction casing projecting therefrom and telescoped within the housing, said housing and casing having inter engaging lugs limiting lengthwise separation of the housing and casing; friction shoes slidinglyy spring means yieldingly opposing telescoped within the casing, said shoes and cas# ing having interengaging friction surfaces restricting the. shoes tovmovement in a direction lengthwise of the casing; a wedge having wedging engagement with the shoes; guide means on the housing limiting the wedge to: lengthwise movement with respect to said housing; cooperating stop lugs on the wedge and casing for limiting lengthwiseseparation of v the casing and "wedge, the lugs'of the wedge being engaged between adjacent shoes .to lock .the wedge against rotationv withv respect vto the shoes; spring meansgyieldingly'opposing lengthwise movement of the wedge inwardlyrof the housing; and spring means within theA casing yieldingly opposing movement of the wedge `and shoes toward the buffer head.

Y 5. In a buier for railway cars, the combination with a housing adapted to be secured to a car; of a buffer headA including a friction casing projecting therefromandtelescoped within the housing, -said housing and casing having interengaging llugslimiting lengthwise separation of the housing and casing; friction shoes `slidingly telescoped within the casing, said shoesV and casing having interengaging friction surfaces of V- shaped transverse section `restricting the shoes to movement in a direction lengthwise of the casing; a wedgevhaving wedgingY engagement with the shoes; Yguide vmeans Aon the housing limiting the wedge to lengthwise movement with respect to said housing; spring means yieldingly opposing lengthwise movement of the wedge inwardly of the housing; and spring means within thecasing yieldingly opposing movement of the wedge and shoes toward the buier head.

6. In a buffer for railway cars, the combination with a housing adapted to be secured to a car; of a buffer head including a friction casing projecting therefrom and telescoped within the housing, said housing and casing having interengaging lugs limiting lengthwise separation of the housing and casing; friction shoes slidingly telescoped within the casing, said shoes and casing having interengaging friction surfaces of V- shaped transverse section restricting the shoes to movement in a direction lengthwise of the casing; a wedge having wedging engagement with the shoes; guide means on the housing limiting the wedge to lengthwise movement with respect to said housing; cooperating stop lugs on the wedge and casing for limiting lengthwise separation of the casing and wedge, the lugs of the wedge extending between adjacent shoes to lock the wedge against rotation with respect to the shoes; spring means yieldingly opposing lengthwise movement of the wedge inwardly of the housing; and spring means within the casing yieldingly opposing movement of the wedge and shoes toward the buffer head.

7. In a buffer for railway cars, the combination with a housing adapted to be secured to a car; of a buffer head including a friction casing projecting therefrom and telescoped within the housing, said housing and casing having interengaging lugs limiting lengthwise separation of the housing and casing; friction shoes slidingly telescoped within the casing, said shoes and casing having interengaging friction surfaces restricting the shoes to movement in a direction l having an opening of angular cross section within which said stem is guided and restricted to 7 lengthwise movementrwitn respect to the housing); spring means yieldingly opposing lengthwise movement 'of the Wedge inwardly of the housing; and spring ;means Within the casing yieldingly opposing movement of theY 'Wedge and shoes toward the buffer head;

81. In a buer forrail'way cars, the combination with a lhousing 'adapted to v'be secured toa car; of 'abuer head including ai'rieti'on casing Vpro'- jecting therefrom and' telescoped vWithin Ythe housing; said housing and casing having intereng'agin'g lugs limiting lengthwise 'separation of the-housing and casing; friction shoes sliding-1y telescoped Within the' casing,fsaid shoes' and casl ingv having interengag-ing `friction s'iirfaces` restricting vthe shoes to movement in afdiiection lng'thwise of thel casing; a Wedgehavin'g 'Wedging engagement with the shoes on nat, inten' eif'lgagiffgVv :taci-1s;A a Vstein' of angular "c'r's'sj section on' saidu'fdge; a guide sleeve Viiit'g-rall with' the musing;- said sleeve' having a' bore' of angular',

CflOSS 'section Within V'Vliiliv the" S'tenV is "gid, for lengthwise movement and I'held against Yrotation; spring -mean's yelingli opposing length'- Wi'se moi/erilenty o'f they Wedge' inwardly of the housing; a shoulder n'v said--vvedgeL en'ga'ge'able with the' end of saidsieeveltb liihit festive-nieve- Inent ofthe Wedge andhousing tol'e'sslth'an therv full compression stroke'of thelmechanism and' spring means' withinthe casing y'ieldinglyv opposa ing movement vof the 'Wedge and'shoe'stovvard the bufferhead..l

9. Inrabuffer for railway cars, the combination with a housing adapted to bersecured to a car; of a buier head including a friction casing'pro-` jecting therefrom Yand telescoped Within the housing, said housing rand casing having intereng'aging 'lugs limiting lengthwiseseparation `of the housing and ca-sing; friction shoesslidingly telescoped Withingthe casing, Y said shoesand casing having interengaging friction surfaces Hre.- stricting the shoes to movement in a;di 1ection lengthwise of the casing;V a Wedge having IWedging engagement with the shoes on flat, interengaging facesza stem `of hexagonal cross' section projecting inwardly. from the Wedge andY integraltherewith;` al guidei siee've 'of hexagonaL interior ,Cross section iixed Witl'iv respect to the khousing land sliding-.ly receiving said hexagonalv stem and lholding the same against rotation.; yspring means yieldingly `opposing :lengthwise movement of the wedge inwardly of the housing; and spring means Within the c'asing'yieldingly opposing movement of the Wedge'arid shoes toward 'the buffer head,

Numsif v I f swedish f f 1900 

